Did
you know that minor leaks from household plumbing fixtures and irrigation
systems account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in
U.S. homes? As a reminder to everyone, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is promoting its second annual WaterSense
"Fix
a Leak Week," March 15 to 21, 2010.
EPA
created this week-long annual event to give its WaterSense utility, community,
manufacturer, retail, and professional partners a call to action to encourage
saving water.
For
example, the City of Dallas and dozens of local plumbers will launch Fix a Leak
Week by taking to the streets to repair leaks in low-income residences and
replace fixtures with WaterSense labeled models. The Great Dallas Fix a Leak
Week Roundup — a seven-day blitz to completely wipe out the waiting list for
the city's leak repair program — is just one of many events WaterSense partners
will be hosting in their communities across the country.
WaterSense
is encouraging homeowners, do-it-yourselfers, and plumbing professionals to
help find and fix leaks by promoting the following tips:
- Reduce
faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary,
replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
- Replace
worn rubber flappers, which can cause silent leaks in toilets.
- For
a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight
connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
- Check
landscape irrigation systems each spring before use to make sure they are not
damaged by frost or freezing.
- Remember
to look for the WaterSense label if you have to replace a bathroom fixture.
To
learn more about Fix a Leak Week or to become a WaterSense partner, visit
www.epa.gov/watersense.
Source: WaterSense
